How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield

Dreena Whitfield
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How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield goes beyond the highlight reel with Black women founders, executives, and leaders. Real conversations about the pivots, the setbacks, and the purpose behind the work. From bootstrapping a beauty brand with $500 to leading a professional sports franchise, each episode explores the moments that shaped who they became and the cost of building something meaningful. Season 4 guests include founders in beauty, natural products, food, wine, interior design, sports leadership, venture capital, civic advocacy, and more. For women navigating leadership, business ownership, career reinvention, and the cost of ambition. New episodes biweekly on Wednesdays. Host: Dreena Whitfield Executive Producer, Writer & Creative Director: Keena Williams / Struxa howigotherewdreenaw.substack.com

  1. Dr. T.M. Robinson-Mosley on Sports Psychology, Building The Playbook, and Why Ready Is Not a Feeling | How I Got Here

    6 DAYS AGO

    Dr. T.M. Robinson-Mosley on Sports Psychology, Building The Playbook, and Why Ready Is Not a Feeling | How I Got Here

    Description Counseling psychologist Dr. T.M. Robinson-Mosley shares how she went from growing up in a home where psychology and sports were inseparable to founding The Playbook, an award-winning mental health performance platform trusted by the NBA, NCAA, NWSL, and the U.S. Air Force. Dr. Mosley talks about her mother and twin aunt being among the only Black psychologists in Alabama, her uncle catching the last out of the 1969 World Series, boxing and rugby as an athlete, building a consulting practice she never planned, and scaling 36 providers across pro sports during COVID. This episode covers the mental health crisis in elite sports, quantifying wellness the way a Fitbit tracks physical health, building winning team cultures, and why ready is not a feeling but a decision. Key Takeaways Ready is not a feeling, it is a decision. Waiting to feel ready may mean never starting. More than 50% of elite athletes report depression and anxiety severe enough to affect their ability to function. The crisis is now. You cannot fight tall. Lean into your actual strengths, even the ones that feel like weaknesses. Building a winning team culture is everybody's everyday work. Seeing people who looked like her doing the work gave Dr. Mosley the belief that nothing was unattainable. Who Should Listen Women building at the intersection of multiple industries. Founders moving from consulting to scalable tech. Sports professionals and clinicians exploring athlete mental health. Anyone who has waited to feel ready before making a move. Learn more about Dr. Mosley and The Playbook at playbookperformance.co Host: Dreena Whitfield, WhitPR  Executive Producer, Writer, and Creative Director: Keena, Struxa Music: Kinita G, "How I Got Here (Official Podcast Theme)" Subscribe for more conversations on purpose, leadership, and reinvention. (00:00) - Meet Dr. T.M. Robinson-Mosley: From Boxing Rings to the NBA and Building The Playbook (01:26) - What was it like growing up in a home where psychology and sports lived in the same space? (03:48) - What parts of that early world make the most sense in who Dr. Mosley became? (04:57) - What did years of rugby, boxing, and competing show Dr. Mosley about strength and pressure? (07:27) - How did Dr. Mosley build a consulting practice with a private practice inside it? (08:43) - What happens when you become an entrepreneur you never planned to be? (09:42) - How did watching her mother earn a PhD at age six shape Dr. Mosley's entire career? (11:09) - Why does Dr. Mosley say ready is not a feeling but a decision? (11:22) - What is The Playbook and how does it track athlete mental health like a wearable device? (12:20) - Why are more than 50% of elite athletes battling depression and anxiety? (14:10) - How did a mentor at the NCAA give Dr. Mosley her first break in professional sports? (15:53) - How did The Playbook scale to 36 providers across the NBA, NFL, and MLB during COVID? (16:17) - Why is building a winning team culture everybody's everyday work? (17:19) - What does Dr. Mosley want people to say about her legacy? (17:58) - Quick-fire questions

    19 min
  2. Amber Guyton on Soulful Maximalism, Pricing Your Worth, and Why Only 2% of Interior Designers Are Black | How I Got Here

    4 MAR

    Amber Guyton on Soulful Maximalism, Pricing Your Worth, and Why Only 2% of Interior Designers Are Black | How I Got Here

    Amber Guyton left corporate financial services, built Blessed Little Bungalow into a full-service design brand, and learned that pricing your worth and protecting your peace are the real work. Today she's one of only 2% of interior designers who are Black, with licensing partnerships at Home Goods, TJ Maxx, and Mitchell Black, celebrity clients, and a design philosophy rooted in soulful maximalism. Key Takeaways: You do not have to scale to be successful; a boutique business built on alignment, creative freedom, and strong values is a powerful model.Only 2% of the interior design industry is Black, and showing up authentically in that space is both representation and strategy.Pricing your worth starts with tracking your time; undercharging does not just hurt you, it affects the entire industry.An ADHD diagnosis, anxiety, and depression do not disqualify you from building something meaningful; they just mean some days the building looks different.In this conversation with Dreena Whitfield, Amber opens up about the leap from corporate to creative entrepreneurship, the imposter syndrome that comes without formal design training, and how soulful maximalism became her signature. She talks about what happened when a hobby started feeling like work, why she chose a boutique model over empire-building, and the invisible battles of entrepreneurship, including a recent ADHD diagnosis. This episode covers: decorating her first home in a single week, growing from $250 e-design mood boards to thousands, how licensing partnerships found her before she went looking, navigating an industry where representation barely exists, the heartbreak of a client relationship gone wrong, choosing creative freedom over brand scripts, designing spaces for first-generation wealth builders, and the legacy she hopes to leave behind. If you're a woman navigating the leap from corporate to creative entrepreneurship, a designer wrestling with imposter syndrome or pricing, an entrepreneur building while managing mental health, or a first-generation wealth builder who wants spaces that reflect your identity, this episode is for you. About Amber Guyton: Designer, creative director, and founder of Blessed Little Bungalow. University of Georgia MBA. Former corporate marketing executive. Her work has been featured in Architectural Digest, HGTV Magazine, and Forbes. Licensing partnerships with Home Goods, TJ Maxx, and Mitchell Black, with a bedding line on the way. Speaker at High Point Market. Follow Amber Guyton at @blessedlittlebungalow Watch the full video episode on Substack: howigotherewdreenaw.substack.com Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@howigotherewdreenaw Subscribe to How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield for more conversations on purpose, leadership, and reinvention. (00:00) - Meet Amber Guyton: The Interior Designer Building Blessed Little Bungalow With Soul (01:36) - How did Amber Guyton know it was time to leave corporate and pursue interior design full-time? (04:14) - How did the pandemic push Amber Guyton from side hustle to full-time design business? (05:47) - Why did Amber Guyton choose a boutique design business over scaling? (07:43) - What happens when a creative side hustle becomes a full-time business and stops feeling fun? (09:52) - How did Blessed Little Bungalow start from decorating one house in a week? (12:34) - What is it like being a Black interior designer in an industry that is only 2% Black? (14:37) - How did Amber Guyton build a design career without formal interior design training? (15:42) - What is soulful maximalism and how does it center Black art and identity in interior design? (18:25) - How does designing for first-generation wealth builders differ from traditional interior design? (20:32) - How should interior designers price their work when there is no industry blueprint? (26:24) - How did Amber Guyton land licensing deals with Home Goods, TJ Maxx, and Mitchell Black? (29:44) - What is the long-term vision for Blessed Little Bungalow beyond interior design? (34:23) - How do interior designers manage ADHD, anxiety, and depression while running a business? (39:07) - How do you protect creative standards when clients cut budgets or projects fall apart? (41:26) - What does Amber Guyton want her legacy in interior design to be? (43:40) - Quick-fire questions and closing

    45 min
  3. From Organizing at 12 to Leading a National Movement | Mary Pat Hector | How I Got Here

    19 FEB

    From Organizing at 12 to Leading a National Movement | Mary Pat Hector | How I Got Here

    Mary Pat Hector started organizing at 12, advised President Obama at 18, and ran for office at 19 — losing by just 22 votes. That loss reshaped her entire path. Today she's CEO of Rise, a national organization fighting for free college and student basic needs across 10+ states, and the founder of Equity for All, a platform helping young people of color in the South gain political power. Key Takeaways: She advised President Obama on criminal justice reform at 18 and has since helped mobilize over 4 million voters through Rise.When a Black woman takes over from a white male founder, the funding dynamics shift overnight.The most impactful skill a young leader can learn is fundraising — without it, you'll always work for someone else.Progressive organizations are facing a post-2024 crisis as foundations pull back out of fear of political retaliation.In this conversation with Dreena Whitfield, Mary Pat opens up about the real cost of being the youngest, the first, and the only in the room. She shares what happened when she stepped into the CEO role after a white male founder — and how fundraising, dynamics, and expectations shifted overnight. She talks about building sisterhood as a leadership survival tool, balancing being a new mom and CEO, and what she's hearing from young people who are losing faith in democracy. This episode covers: growing up in a service-driven household in Atlanta, what it was like in the Oval Office at 18, the emotional toll of running for office as a teenager, founding Equity for All after her election loss, leading a hunger strike at Spelman, her path to leading Rise, navigating progressive fundraising after 2024, the personal sacrifices young leaders make, and the legacy she hopes to leave behind. If you're a young person figuring out how to lead, an organizer navigating burnout, or someone who wants to understand what it actually takes to build civic power — this episode is for you. About Mary Pat Hector: CEO of Rise, Founder of Equity for All. Spelman College and Georgia State University graduate. Rise has mobilized over 4 million voters nationwide. She helped register over 500,000 Georgia voters through Black Youth Vote. Led hunger strikes that gained 75,000+ meals for HBCU students. Youngest board member of Headcount.org. Featured on MSNBC, CNN, NYT, Hulu's 1619 Project, Forbes, and more. Subscribe to How I Got Here for more conversations on purpose, leadership, and reinvention. Host: Dreena Whitfield / WhitPR Executive Producer, Writer & Creative Director: Keena Williams / Struxa (00:00) - Meet Mary Pat Hector: The Activist Who Started Organizing at 12 Years (01:22) - How does growing up in a service-driven household shape your leadership? (02:36) - What makes Atlanta a unique city for Black leaders and organizers? (05:06) - What is it like advising the President of the United States at 18 years old? (08:09) - What happens when you run for office at 19 and lose by 22 votes? (13:10) - How losing an election inspired the founding of Equity for All (16:08) - What does Rise do and how did Mary Pat Hector become CEO? (19:28) - What really happens when a Black woman takes over from a male founder? (21:40) - How does a young CEO fundraise with no prior experience? (24:31) - How are progressive organizations adapting after the 2024 election? (26:59) - Why are young people disillusioned with democracy and what can be done about it? (29:01) - What does it cost to be the youngest, the first, and the only in the room? (32:13) - What do young civic leaders sacrifice in their twenties for the work? (34:23) - How do you balance being a CEO, a new mom, and a wife at the same time? (37:09) - How do you separate your identity from your work when service is all you know? (40:29) - What legacy does Mary Pat Hector want to leave for the next generation of leaders? (44:03) - How did Mary Pat Hector's mother shape her into the leader she is today? (45:27) - Rapid Fire: Organizing playlists, dream career paths, and the quotes that keep her going (48:30) - Why it matters to platform the work of Black women in leadership

    49 min
  4. Aniesia Williams on Power, Discernment, and Rebuilding After Toxic Leadership Spaces

    4 FEB

    Aniesia Williams on Power, Discernment, and Rebuilding After Toxic Leadership Spaces

    Dreena sits down with Aniesia Williams, a brand strategist, venture architect, and ecosystem builder who understands how power actually moves. In this conversation, Aniesia reflects on navigating leadership spaces where high-performing Black women are often brought in to fix broken systems without real authority or protection. She shares what it cost her to speak up, the psychological toll of being pushed out, and the lessons she learned building and exiting a service-based business. Together, Dreena and Aniesia explore integrity, ownership, and what it looks like to build systems that truly protect the people inside them. This episode is a powerful reminder that success without alignment still comes at a price. (00:00) - Introduction: Meeting Aniesia Williams and her work (02:02) - Why titles stop mattering after a certain point (04:39) - Learning how power really works inside big institutions (06:13) - The unspoken rules Black women are expected to follow (08:43) - When speaking up makes you a “cultural problem” (11:11) - The psychological toll of being pushed out (15:35) - Building and exiting a service-based business (18:27) - What no one tells you about acquisitions (23:08) - Why integrity matters more than optics (31:18) - Creating Dream Wealth Camp for growth-stage founders (36:07) - What investors actually look for (41:35) - Being coachable without shrinking yourself (44:18) - Learning to be okay with being the villain (47:16) - Quickfire questions and where to find Aniesia

    50 min
  5. From the Track to the Boardroom: Laila Brock on Leadership, Representation, and Purpose

    22 JAN

    From the Track to the Boardroom: Laila Brock on Leadership, Representation, and Purpose

    Laila Brock joins Dreena Whitfield for a powerful conversation about leadership, representation, and learning who you are beyond the job. From her early days as a college track captain to shaping some of the biggest stages in sports, Laila reflects on what it means to lead in rooms that were never designed for you. She shares lessons from mentors who poured into her, the responsibility of opening doors for others, and the moment she realized success without rest is not sustainable. This is Laila Brock. And this is how she got here. This episode is a thoughtful reflection on identity, boundaries, burnout, and redefining purpose beyond titles. Listen and follow How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield for more stories of purpose, resilience, and the moments that shape who we become. (00:00) - From the Track to the Boardroom: Laila Brock on Leadership, Representation, and Purpose (01:36) - Introduction and Setting the Stage (01:45) - Early Leadership Lessons at Penn State (03:24) - Influential Figures and Personal Growth (05:10) - Challenges and Triumphs in Operations Roles (08:55) - Transition to Business Development (12:00) - Joining the Atlanta Dream (15:23) - Navigating Leadership as a Black Woman (17:50) - Representing the Ancestors and Future Generations (18:46) - The Rise of Women's Sports (20:15) - Reflecting on Career and Personal Identity (23:02) - Advice for Young Women in Sports (28:23) - Legacy and Impact in Sports (29:33) - Quick Fire Questions and Closing Remarks

    31 min
  6. Building LAMIK Beauty: Kim Roxie on Purpose, Perseverance, and Clean Beauty With Soul

    17/12/2025

    Building LAMIK Beauty: Kim Roxie on Purpose, Perseverance, and Clean Beauty With Soul

    How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield Guest: Kim Roxie, Founder of LAMIK Beauty In this episode, Dreena sits down with Kim Roxie, the founder of LAMIK Beauty, to talk about what it means to build with purpose when the path forward is uncertain. Kim shares how opening her first brow and makeup shop with just $500 taught her the importance of perseverance, faith, and learning the business from the inside out. She opens up about navigating foreclosure, living with alopecia, and making the difficult decision to shut down her brick-and-mortar store before rebuilding LAMIK as a clean beauty brand. From Houston to Ulta, Nordstrom, and JCPenney, this conversation reveals the quiet strength behind building something with soul. This is Kim Roxie. And this is how she got here. Episode Chapters (00:00) - Introduction to Kim Roxy and LAMIK Beauty (01:39) - Early Beginnings and High School Days (04:46) - Starting LAMIK Beauty with $500 (07:16) - Challenges and Resilience in Business (17:21) - Pivoting to E-commerce (21:10) - Product Development and Local Manufacturing (24:28) - Brow Duo and Clean Beauty (28:33) - Partnerships with Ulta and Nordstrom (29:56) - Reconnecting with an Old Friend (30:12) - Balancing Business and Education (31:44) - The Power of Connection (33:21) - The Rose Foundation's Impact (37:15) - Personal Growth and Leadership (39:07) - Embracing Individuality in Beauty (44:30) - Future Aspirations and Reflections (50:56) - Empowering Women with Alopecia Listen and follow How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield for more stories of purpose, resilience, and the moments that shape who we become.

    56 min
  7. Pouring Purpose: Aamira Garba and the Story Behind LoveLee Wines

    19/11/2025

    Pouring Purpose: Aamira Garba and the Story Behind LoveLee Wines

    How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield Guest: Aamira Garba, Founder of LoveLee Wines In this episode, Dreena sits down with Aamira Garba, the New Jersey–born founder of LoveLee Wines. They talk about the moment on a New Jersey Transit train that sparked a major life shift, the courage to enter an industry with so few Black women, and the discipline she pours into every bottle. Aamira shares how she blended her first wines without a license, built slowly while raising two daughters, and learned the business from the inside out. From her earliest blends to landing on VinePair’s Top 25 Pinot Noirs in the World, this conversation highlights purpose, persistence, and building a legacy with intention. This is Aamira Garba, and this is how she got here. Episode Chapters(00:00) - Introduction to Aamira Garba and LoveLee Wines (00:30) - The Journey Begins: Discovering Wine (03:06) - Early Challenges and Bootlegging Days (03:43) - Balancing Life and Business (09:47) - Naming the Brand: A Family Affair (11:47) - Building the Brand: Self-Funding and Growth (15:49) - Claiming Space in the Wine Industry (17:52) - Celebrating Success and Overcoming Stereotypes (20:48) - Challenges in the Wine Industry (21:19) - Navigating the Three-Tier System (22:48) - Building Relationships and Sales Skills (24:16) - Finding the Right Vineyard Partner (26:22) - The Wine Making Process (27:31) - Staying Grounded and Inspired (33:03) - Recognition and Self-Acceptance (35:20) - Quickfire Questions and Final Thoughts Listen and follow How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield for more stories of purpose, resilience, and the moments that shape who we become.

    42 min
  8. Nagela Duperval on OU LA, a $3 Million Build, and Faith in the Struggle

    05/11/2025

    Nagela Duperval on OU LA, a $3 Million Build, and Faith in the Struggle

    How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield Guest: Nagela Duperval, Founder of OU LA Restaurant In this episode, Dreena sits down with Nagela Duperval, the Haitian-born entrepreneur behind OU LA — the stunning Caribbean restaurant in Carteret, New Jersey that’s redefining what it means to build something from faith and fire. With no restaurant experience, Nagela spent three years building a $3-million space from the ground up while juggling a full-time job and family. She opens up about betting everything on herself, trusting God through the struggle, and finding her footing in an industry she had to teach herself in real time. From real estate flips to restaurant ownership, from burnout to breakthroughs, this conversation is a story of courage, culture, and conviction — a reminder that even when the path gets hard, purpose always finds a way. This is Nagela Duperval, and this is how she got here. ⏱️ Episode Chapters [00:00] Introduction – Dreena welcomes Nagela Duperval and sets up her journey from real estate to restaurants. [01:26] From Port-au-Prince to New Jersey – Carrying Haitian language, culture, and community into a new life. [03:11] The Birth of OU LA – Partnering with Chef Duke and creating a space that celebrates Caribbean flavors. [05:28] The Opportunity – Finding the perfect location and learning commercial real estate the hard way. [06:47] The Financing Battle – Building a $3-million restaurant without investors or SBA loans. [10:06] Faith in the Struggle – How prayer, persistence, and strangers’ belief kept her going. [12:31] Lessons from Real Estate – Partnership, ownership, and being a Black woman in business. [15:00] The Highs and Lows of Flipping – From first wins to costly mistakes that became lessons. [17:47] Risk and Reward – Selling everything to make the dream real. [18:50] Life Inside OU LA – Managing 30 employees, long hours, and weekly payroll pressure [20:11] Food and Story – Haitian dishes, black rice, and how heritage shows up on the plate. [22:06] The Cost of the Dream – Burnout, balance, and learning to trust new leadership. [24:07] Black Women in Food – Speaking at the summit and finding strength through sisterhood. [26:15] Why She Can’t Quit – Faith, debt, and a promise to finish what she started. [27:21] The Impact Moments – When other Black women walk in and say, “Sis, we’re proud of you.” [28:19] Building Legacy – Hopes for her family, future OU LA locations, and believing it will turn around [29:30] Quick Fire – Red snapper, morning flow, and the song that takes her home. Listen and follow How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield for more stories of purpose, resilience, and the pivots that shape who we become.

    31 min
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About

How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield goes beyond the highlight reel with Black women founders, executives, and leaders. Real conversations about the pivots, the setbacks, and the purpose behind the work. From bootstrapping a beauty brand with $500 to leading a professional sports franchise, each episode explores the moments that shaped who they became and the cost of building something meaningful. Season 4 guests include founders in beauty, natural products, food, wine, interior design, sports leadership, venture capital, civic advocacy, and more. For women navigating leadership, business ownership, career reinvention, and the cost of ambition. New episodes biweekly on Wednesdays. Host: Dreena Whitfield Executive Producer, Writer & Creative Director: Keena Williams / Struxa howigotherewdreenaw.substack.com

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